The number of photographers and media that surrounded Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s Mercedes before he took to the track at the 2024 Italian Grand Prix perfectly exemplified how much hype there is around him.
Kimi Antonelli didn’t even complete two flying laps as he borrowed George Russell’s Mercedes for FP1 that day.
Antonelli’s data suggests he was pushing harder than Lewis Hamilton when he reached the final corner on the circuit and duly found the barriers after losing control of the car.
While team principal Toto Wolff brushed off the accident suggesting that Antonelli was simply trying to find the limits of the car, it made his announcement as Russell’s teammate for the 2025 season the next day slightly awkward.
Antonelli completed a clean but unspectacular second practice session in Mexico City later in the year, but all eyes will be on how the 18-year-old performs at next month’s Australian Grand Prix.
With so many talented and more experienced drivers racing for slower teams in the paddock or not on the grid altogether, if Antonelli doesn’t perform, questions will be asked about whether he was promoted too quickly.
Wolff is lowering initial expectations on Antonelli, but there is also a risk that he won’t be able to fulfil his full potential if he’s been rushed onto the grid.
However, the flip side is that the teenager does live up to the hype around him, and questions start to be asked about whether Mercedes can provide him with a competitive enough car to match his potential.
Many people in F1 worried Kimi Antonelli could ‘lose his potential’ like Charles Leclerc
A report from The Objective has provided more details about Antonelli’s debut season.
Unlike every other rookie joining Formula 1 this year – aside from Liam Lawson at Red Bull although his rookie status is questionable – Antonelli theoretically stands a chance of winning the first Grand Prix of the season.
Antonelli isn’t concerned about the pressure of following Hamilton, but 2025 won’t be a free pass no matter what Wolff says about giving him time to acclimate, particularly if Mercedes suddenly have an advantage over Ferrari and McLaren.
If he’s as fast as many expect, then the career paths of Fernando Alonso, Sebastian Vettel and Hamilton himself will end up being his benchmark.
They all won championships within two seasons of having a competitive car, while Max Verstappen didn’t hang around either once Red Bull got their act together.
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‘Many people’ in the F1 paddock ‘fear’ that if Antonelli has this level of talent, then he may end up in a similar position to Charles Leclerc.
Leclerc has eight wins, 43 podiums and 26 pole positions to his name, but is yet to win a championship for himself or Ferrari.
Heading into his seventh season at Ferrari, the Monegasque driver will hope that changes, but he’s very much an example of a driver with enough talent to be a champion without ever having the right car.
Mercedes have high hopes for the 2026 F1 season but Kimi Antonelli faces George Russell challenge
It would be a surprise if Mercedes – who finished fourth in the constructors’ championship last year – are suddenly the frontrunners this season.
However, Mercedes have been hyped up as one of the favourites for 2026 as many believe that it will be a formula that relies heavily on having the best power unit, something the team have nailed in the past.
That would suddenly give Antonelli the chance to challenge for a title, but he would face some seriously stiff competition.
READ MORE: Know all about 2025 Mercedes F1 driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli including stats
Russell is considered one of F1’s most underrated drivers and it’s commonly forgotten how dominant he was during his junior career due to the three tough seasons he spent with Williams.
He’s a race winner, but if Mercedes do have the best power unit, then suddenly three customer teams also have to be taken very seriously.
McLaren are the current constructors’ champions and Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri could both be heading into 2026 with a title under their belt if things go to plan this year.
Williams also have a very strong line-up in Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon, while Pierre Gasly can’t be ruled out as Alpine begin their relationship with Mercedes next year.
